Mercy Breaks Ground For Expansion

On Tuesday, a multi-million dollar expansion came off the drawing board.

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"We stand at a sacred intersection where science and technology meet grace and humanity," said Sister Maurita Soukup, who offered a prayer at the beginning of a program that centered around patient care ... and a few shovels full of dirt.

"We are excited to have our groundbreaking for our new behavioral health center," said Dan Varnum, President, and CEO of Mercy - North Iowa.

"This is a 10-point-6 almost 11 million dollar project" added Dr. Teresa Mock, senior vice president of Mercy Clinics

900 thousand of that came from the "Jan Again Foundation. It was named in honor of Jan Smeby.

"My wife experienced depression, and that's how her life ended. That was in 1998, Wally Smeby told us."I saw things that I didn't think we're providing what potential patients needed."

"This will be a 27-thousand square foot addition. it will create 3 separate behavioral health units" said Dr. Teresa Mock.

"One can only exercise mercy where there is a need," said Rev. Barbara McCauley during a brief ceremony at the location where the new facility will be built. "Katherine McMcaulley, the founder of the Mercy Sisters, must be smiling."

The development will also include what's being called "the help center".

"A place for patients and families to come to receive education about their behavioral health illnesses," Dr. Teresa Mock said.

"It's just all about the future" Wally Smeby added.

From groundbreaking to completion, the project is expected to take about 18 months."

And Sister Maurita Soukup ended the days' observance with prayer: "May it flow with compassion for all who seek to heal through these walls, amen."

The President has unveiled his plan to fight the opioid crisis and the plan includes the death penalty for drug traffickers. The president talked about his plan today in New Hampshire, a state hit hard by the opioid crisis.

"Everyday 116 Americans die from an opioid-related overdoes," said President Trump.